During the last week of June and first week of July, the manicured lawns of SW19 become the most revered patch of grass in the sporting world. Wimbledon, with its strawberries and cream, crisp whites, and the gentle thwack of racket on ball, is so much more than a tennis tournament, it’s a living tradition and over the years, it’s become one of the most important platforms for women in sport.

Wimbledon was founded in 1877 but, astonishingly for the Victorian era, it opened its gates to women’s singles competition as early as 1884. To put this into perspective, this was a time when women couldn’t vote, most universities were closed to them, and the idea of a woman engaging in rigorous sport was, to many, unthinkable. And yet, there they were. Corseted, elegant, but determined, stepping onto court to prove they were just as deserving of a place in the sporting canon.

The first champion was Maud Watson, who beat her opponent in front of a crowd of gentlemen in top hats and ladies fanning themselves under parasols. A polite applause followed, but behind the white skirts and social etiquette, something seismic was quietly shifting. Wimbledon was giving women visibility, and more than that, it was giving them legitimacy as athletes.

As decades passed and the tournament evolved, so did its female champions. From the grace of Suzanne Lenglen in the 1920s to the powerhouse that is Serena Williams, Wimbledon has served as a mirror for how far women in sport, and society, have come. These were both athletes and cultural icons. Rule-breakers. Role models.

And yet, the road has not always been smooth. For much of its history, Wimbledon lagged behind in one key area: prize money. Until 2007, women were paid less than their male counterparts, despite playing with just as much brilliance, grit and elegance. It took voices like Venus Williams, speaking with quiet dignity and fierce logic, to challenge the imbalance. Her campaign was historic, and in 2007, Wimbledon finally committed to equal prize money for men and women.

It was a victory that rippled beyond tennis. A symbolic moment that said: women’s talent, women’s dedication, women’s sport matters just as much.

Today, Wimbledon stands as a powerful emblem of female excellence, making space for some of the most extraordinary stories in tennis. Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, the Williams sisters, names that don’t just belong to the sport, but to the cultural history of our time.

At EXEAT, we think often about what it means to stand on tradition while creating something modern. That’s why we love Wimbledon. It’s elegance with attitude. It’s heritage, but it’s also revolution. And most importantly, it’s a place where women’s achievements are not just seen, but celebrated.

Long may that continue.